They continued filming until 5 p.m. without successfully completing the scene, and Dong Zibin’s condition was deteriorating.
After calling cut once again, Director He thought for a moment and called Jiang Lin over. “Try the brotherly heart-to-heart scene with Xiao Dong. Cheng Fei doesn’t have many lines in that one. See if you can guide his emotions, help him get into character. No need for makeup, just go straight in.”
That scene consisted mostly of Jiang Lin’s long monologues and wasn’t even on the schedule yet. Jiang Lin could have easily refused.
However, Jiang Lin nodded and turned to Dong Zibin, “Do you remember that scene?”
Dong Zibin stared blankly at his assistant, who quickly flipped through the script and held it out to him. After glancing over it, he indicated he knew it.
The scene was set in Cheng Yue’s home, but they didn’t need to use the set now. The assistant director had people clear out an area, and they were ready to begin.
Dong Zibin sat on the ground, playing a game on his phone.
Jiang Lin approached with two glasses of water. “You went to see Ji Ming’an today?”
Dong Zibin paused his game and looked up at Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin sighed, bent down to place a glass in front of him, then sat cross-legged, looking into his eyes. “It’s not what you think between him and me. How could I possibly go find a man just to anger the old man…”
The monologue was long, with Jiang Lin’s emotions gradually building along with the lines. His expressions and movements were meant to guide Dong Zibin into the scene. However, Dong Zibin just listened with his head down, occasionally glancing up at Jiang Lin and responding with a word or two.
On the sidelines, Xiao Zhu sat on a small stool next to Li Qianxing, dabbing her eyes with a tissue and muttering softly, “Lin-ge’s lines are so moving, yet that guy doesn’t give even a hint of emotion.”
Xiao Ding looked at her and whispered back, “You’ve been with Li-ge, so you’ve only been in good productions. When Lin-ge was stuck in supporting roles, I saw this kind of thing all the time. It doesn’t matter if there’s anyone opposite him or not, it’s pretty much the same as him practicing alone. Lin-ge says to just imagine you’re acting opposite a cabbage.”
This comment made Xiao Zhu quickly cover her mouth, trying hard not to laugh out loud.
After the scene, Director He checked the time and called over to the crew. “That’s enough for now, let’s break for dinner.”
Then to Li Qianxing, Jiang Lin, and the assistant director, “We’ll shoot tomorrow’s scene with Xiao Li and Xiao Jiang tonight.”
Agent Chen heard this and sounded anxious, “Director He, what about our Zibin…”
Director He’s expression remained gentle. “He’s been filming all day and is too tired. Even if we keep going, he won’t be in the right state. Take him back to the hotel to relax, don’t worry too much.”
Chen finally relaxed, exchanged a few pleasantries, and left with Dong Zibin.
Seeing them leave, Li Qianxing turned to Director He. “Director He…”
But Director He interrupted with a smile. “Your stomach can’t wait. Eat first, we can talk about anything else after, okay?”
Li Qianxing had no choice but to return to his trailer.
*
Jiang Lin continued to follow Li Qianxing to his trailer. He had Xiao Ding bring over boxed meals and kept him company while eating and chatting.
When Li Qianxing felt enough time had passed, he stood up. “I’m going to see Director He.”
Jiang Lin had anticipated this and stood up too. “I’ll come with you.”
They left the trailer and walked slowly towards Director He’s trailer.
Li Qianxing looked up at the darkening sky and said softly, “It’s not that I can’t be patient and work through NGs with someone, but the prerequisite is that the time spent is worthwhile.”
He turned to look at Jiang Lin and continued, “Nanchao’s actions did anger me, but if Dong Zibin could deliver, I could accept it for the sake of the production. But now it’s not just about his ability. This afternoon, I didn’t see any indication that he was trying to act well.”
Jiang Lin met his gaze, his eyes crinkling slightly as he smiled. “Mm, I understand.”
They knocked and entered Director He’s trailer, finding the producer and assistant director already there.
Director He gestured for them to sit. “I thought Xiao Li would come.”
The producer added, “After two days of testing, that Dong Zibin really isn’t working out. We’re discussing suitable candidates, checking who’s available to come for a screen test.”
The assistant director handed Li Qianxing a list of names.
Jiang Lin leaned over to look and asked, “Have you contacted them yet?”
Director He: “Not yet, we’re still discussing. Why, do you have someone in mind?”
Jiang Lin: “I do, and I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”
Director He asked amusedly, “Oh? Who is it?”
“Well, let me keep that a secret for now.” He checked the time. “You all keep discussing. I’ll contact the person now, and by the time we start shooting, I’ll have a definite answer for you.”
Director He gestured at him. “Still being so mysterious. Okay, I’ll wait for your news.”
Li Qianxing, who hadn’t said a word, followed Jiang Lin out.
Once off the trailer, he curiously asked, “Who is it?”
Jiang Lin winked at him. “Don’t rush, you’ll know soon.”
Back in Li Qianxing’s trailer, Li Qianxing watched as Jiang Lin took out his phone and sent a message to Xiang Xiaohu on his work WeChat: [Xiaohu, can you do a video call now?]
Li Qianxing was surprised. “Him?”
Just as Jiang Lin was about to respond, Xiang Xiaohu’s video call came through, and he answered directly.
Xiang Xiaohu on the other end greeted them enthusiastically: “Teacher Jiang, ah, Teacher Li is there too. Hello!”
Jiang Lin returned the greeting and got straight to the point. “Did you really break a bone?”
Xiang Xiaohu froze, a flash of guilt crossing his face.
In that instant, Li Qianxing and Jiang Lin had their answer.
Li Qianxing frowned. “Your bone fracture was fake?”
Then he realized, “The company forced you? To grab the role.”
Exposed, Xiang Xiaohu dropped the act and sighed, “Yes, the company wanted to give the role to Dong Zibin.”
Li Qianxing said directly, “Dong Zibin isn’t working out. They’ll definitely replace him. You can come back.”
Xiang Xiaohu’s face turned bitter. “The Dong family paid my breach of contract fee to the production. They made it clear then that even if Dong Zibin couldn’t perform and was replaced, the role wouldn’t be given back to me. Otherwise, wouldn’t the company be deliberately deceiving the production?”
Li Qianxing said coldly, “They were deliberately deceiving from the start.”
Jiang Lin interjected, “Have you signed a formal contract with Nanchao yet?”
Xiang Xiaohu: “Not yet, we’ve only signed a three-party agreement.”
Jiang Lin: “A three-party agreement is just an intention, specifics like breach fees aren’t set. It shouldn’t be hard to terminate. Send me a photo of the contract.”
Xiang Xiaohu searched for a moment, then sent a photo of the contract, but added, “But I owe the company money. My mom needed surgery earlier, and my family couldn’t come up with that much money at once, so I had to borrow from the company. That sum is written into the contract as an advance payment from the company, to be deducted from my future earnings. If I want to terminate the contract, I’d have to repay that first.”
As Jiang Lin examined the contract, Li Qianxing asked, “How much did you borrow? When you signed for this film, you didn’t have a company, so you could get the full payment. Wasn’t that enough for the surgery?”
Xiang Xiaohu: “The payment would’ve been enough, but we needed it urgently. We couldn’t wait for the final payment from the production.”
Jiang Lin finished reading the contract and looked up. “As long as you repay the money, termination won’t be an issue. I’ll lend you this money first, and you can come film with us.”
Xiang Xiaohu was completely stunned by this unexpected windfall, his mouth agape.
Jiang Lin: “What do you think? This is a rare opportunity, don’t miss it. As for the company, I can introduce you to better ones. With this drama as a foundation, you won’t have trouble signing elsewhere.”
Xiang Xiaohu’s eyes lit up. “Re-really?”
Jiang Lin smiled. “Of course. Send me your account details in a bit, and I’ll transfer the money to you. Book a flight as soon as possible, we’re waiting for you.”
Tears welled up in Xiang Xiaohu’s eyes. “Thank you, Teacher Jiang! You’re my great benefactor!”
Jiang Lin smiled. “And Teacher Li too.”
He then turned to Li Qianxing. “Li-ge, you have a wide network. Could you find someone to help Xiaohu handle the contract termination, so he can focus on filming?”
Li Qianxing was momentarily surprised, then nodded. “Alright.”
Though he didn’t have the resources of a lawyer himself, he had an all-capable brother.
Xiang Xiaohu quickly thanked him as well.
With everything settled, Jiang Lin ended the video call and immediately transferred the money after receiving Xiang Xiaohu’s account details.
Li Qianxing’s expression was complex. “You guessed it was like this from the start?”
Jiang Lin: “I had a hunch, but if Xiang Xiaohu had already signed formally, this wouldn’t have worked, so I didn’t mention it initially.”
Li Qianxing: “Then why approach him now?”
Jiang Lin smiled. “Just trying our luck. These small companies often have contract loopholes, so there might have been a way. And look, it seems even heaven is on our side.”
Li Qianxing smiled along with him. “Indeed. And I’ve decided, if Xiang Xiaohu performs well in this drama, I’ll recommend him to my brother. Xingyi always welcomes new talent.”
Jiang Lin raised an eyebrow. “I was thinking of asking Yan-jie to sign him. Your Xingyi is already huge, you don’t need him. Don’t rob him from us.”
Li Qianxing: “It’s fair competition. How can you call it ‘robbery’?”
Jiang Lin: “Then when Xiaohu arrives, I’ll have to play up our emotional connection. After all, I am his brother.”
Li Qianxing thought for a moment, then said, “But I’m his brother’s partner. Who do you think he’ll listen to?”
Jiang Lin was momentarily speechless, then laughed and shook his head. “You win, you win!”
Li Qianxing brought the conversation back on track. “But your ability to guess that Xiang Xiaohu was fine shows quite a broad perspective.”
Jiang Lin: “That’s because I’ve experienced something similar.”
Li Qianxing was taken aback.
Jiang Lin: “It was a role that a professor introduced to me during college. Just before joining the crew, someone else snatched it away. The production had an understanding with them, so they called to say I had an accident and breached the contract, but they were ‘kind’ enough not to charge me a penalty fee. How petty, wanting to replace me while saving on the breach of contract fee.”
Li Qianxing felt a slight ache in his heart. “What happened after that?”
Seeing Li Qianxing’s concerned expression, Jiang Lin smiled. “Later, a benefactor spoke up for me, and I ended up getting the role after all. Unfortunately, I never found out who that benefactor was, so I couldn’t thank them in person.”
Li Qianxing’s expression relaxed. “No wonder you’re always so kind-hearted.”
Jiang Lin: “In the past, someone was willing to help me. Now that I have the ability, I want to help others too. There are still more good people in the world, after all. You helped Xiao Zhu back then too.”
He continued, “Plus, now that this issue is resolved, you don’t have to worry about this production anymore.”
Li Qianxing looked at him and nodded with a faint smile.
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